'I thought it was my wife!' - Roger Federer flustered by cheeky Rafael Nadal question at Laver Cup

ByBen Snowball

Updated 23/09/2023 at 13:32 GMT+1

Roger Federer took part in a special Q&A at the Laver Cup in Canada on Friday night, returning to the tournament where he ended his career on the most emotional of nights. A year on from his London farewell, the Swiss maestro fielded a range of questions from host Jim Courier before a familiar face, none other than Spanish legend Rafael Nadal, appeared on the big screen to put him on the spot...

Rafael Nadal gatecrashed Roger Federer's Q&A at the Laver Cup to put his long-time friend and rival on the spot with the trickiest of questions.

The Spaniard appeared on the big screen in Canada to deliver a pre-recorded message, in which he asked Federer to pick his favourite ever doubles partner – handing the Swiss legend a major dilemma.

Although Federer signed off his career alongside Nadal on the doubles court in the most emotional of send-offs at the Laver Cup last year, he also played alongside his wife Mirka when they were dating in 2002.

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"I mean, I mean…" Federer began as he tried to buy time, prompting laughter from the crowd.

"I thought it was my wife! Until this guy showed up. So yeah, Rafa can have it!"

During his 24-year career, Federer enjoyed many thrilling showdowns with Nadal on the court – with the pair famously battling 40 times during their illustrious rivalry, including nine Grand Slam finals – but it never prevented them from building a friendship.

Both Federer and Nadal openly sobbed as the curtain closed on the former's career in London last year.

• Federer reflects on 'perfect' farewell but says he misses 'everything about the game'
• 'Looks very far away' – Nadal curbs expectations of winning Slams in 2024

'Fedal' moment as Federer and Nadal both left crying after Swiss star's final match

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Last year was on another level special, we'll share that forever," Federer added.

Nadal's career is also drawing to a close, with the Spaniard not playing since crashing out of the Australian Open second round in January.

Earlier this month, he admitted his hopes of returning from injury to win the Australian Open or Roland-Garros next year "look very far away".

Meanwhile, Federer met Mirka at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney before the pair played doubles together at the Hopman Cup in 2002.

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